transporting budgie

[londonparis18]

Hi,

so I need to get my pet budgie Sonny home to Yorkshire for Christmas from uni in London. The train journey is around 3 hours with a quick change half way. The thing I am most worried about, however, is the journey to King's Cross station itself as it is about an hour away from my home and either two bus journeys or one bus and two tube journeys away.

Does any one have any advice on how to make the whole trip as stress-free and comfortable as possible?

Do you think the tube or bus route would be best, because although the tube is warmer and quicker, the buses are less noisy and less busy and I wouldn't have to walk as far with him.

Also, I was wondering what to use to cover his cage - I normally use a thin cotton sheet but I was thinking something heavier/thicker/darker might be warmer and less frightening for him...?

Any help would be much appreciated for our big adventure!

Sarah and Sonny xx

[guest1717171]

get some cheap fleece and wrap it around the cage...just fasten it with safety pins

you can also put some dry rice in a sock and warm it up in the microwave before you go, then put the sock in the cage...making sure its not too hot
it will stay warm for a while

[londonparis18]

What a brilliant idea i will definitely do that! Thanks!

[Luisa]

Is there any way to put him in a smaller carrier. It might keep the heat better. A small carrier, with the little warmed rice pack (mentioned previously), would defintely keep him warm for any trip. He may also feel more secure in a smaller space. Does the person you are visiting have a small cage ou could use during your visit, so you dont have to carry the cage?

[londonparis18]

No i am travelling to my parents who have actually never met Sonny before!
The only cage I have for him is the one he is in, which isn't too big. I did think about getting him a travel cage, but I would be taking his normal cage anyway as my parents don't have one for him. Also, I was worried about getting him into a travel cage as he isn't tame yet

Any othertips from anyone?

[birdlover912]

I use small cat or kitten carriers for my birds. I drilled a hole in the side and screwed a perch on. I usually cover them with a towel when I go outside.

Make sure to provide some moist food like apples or corn and some water (which might spill) to ensure Sonny doesn't become dehydrated.

[catschair]

For my little birds, I use a small animal carrier (Come Along Small Animal Carrier price comparison). It has a small cage inside of it and the outside is material with plastic, so it is windproof and fairly waterproof (except for the openings, of course).

That said, some unsolicited advice. I think little birds might be better left with a trusted friend if you will not be gone too long (eg I would leave mine if I was traveling for less than a month). They can be so fragile, so the travel can be hard on them and it is so hard to "bird proof" a house, no teflon, no air fresheners, no smokers....you know the drill. I absolutely understand if you still want to take the little one home, but just a consideration.

Guessing you have exams to sit before the holidays? Good luck and safe travels.

[londonparis18]

Unfortunately my exams fall in my first week back in January :( so no Christmas for me!
Yeah, leaving him here was my first consideration but as I am in a college residence, EVERYONE is heading home for Christmas and I don't know anyone who permanently lives here. Plus I am going home for 5 weeks.

I do think my house is pretty safe though - the only hazard I can think of is my dog, although obviously Sonny will be put well out of reach of him and the dog's pretty docile most of the time anyway! lol Mum doesn't use air fresheners and no-body is a smoker etc.

I have found a friend to accompany me to the train station though, who can carry my bag and so I can concentrate on my little boy, making sure he isn't knocked around too much on the public transport :/

Thanks for the advice though :) everyone is so helpful on here :D

[catschair]

I do have bird friends in the UK, but the closest I could strong arm into bird sitting are in Cambridge, which is no help at all. Ah well, it will be an adventure for the both of you! Safe travels~

[PyscoFalcon]

If your really worried about him then I won't mind Bird sitting. I'm near London - Bishops Stortford.
Of course I'll make sure that Merlin can't get to the wee fella or visa versa. Not perfect and I always panic that something will happen to borders. but options there.

But saying that you'll still need to take him on train for a bit :/

Why not get a small collapasble cage to take to parents with you and transport him in a bird carrier with a lightweight towel over?